Nicholas D.
Private tutor in Geneva, IL
Education
MA Climate and Society Program, Columbia University, Expected Summer 2012 MA Sociology, New School for Social Research, May 2008 BA Political Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, May 2005
Experience
Note: I charge a slightly higher rate ($45.00/hr) than most tutors because I have acquired significantly more formal education than the average tutor, I have varied teaching experience that includes middle school, high school, and undergraduate college experiences; I possess a high competency in a broad array of subjects And because I'm willing to travel throughout the western suburbs and the City of Chicago without charging an additional fee. Previous Tutoring Experience My previous tutoring experience includes tutoring for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign while an undergraduate student from 2001-2005. I mainly focused on helping students in social sciences and humanities courses conduct research, prepare papers, proofread completed written works, and improve study skills. Additional tutoring experience included regular employment with the University of Illinois Dept of Intercollegiate Athletics where I was assigned to tutor student-athletes covering many of the same courses and skills sets for which I had tutored at LAS. While serving as a long-term substitute teacher at high schools and some middle schools in both Chicagoland and New York City, I would frequently meet with interested students during study halls and after classes to supplement in-class lessons and provide academic enrichment. I would frequently gather reading groups for some of my advanced students. I would also work out math problems, discuss paper assignments, and review test materials with other students upon request. In addition, my work as an adjunct history professor in the State University of New York system (SUNY) in 2010-11 provided me opportunities to mentor undergraduate students and guide their intellectual and creative lives. Test Scores SAT: 1400 (Note: I took the SAT in 2000 before they included the analytical writing section) GRE: 1370 ACT: 32 Tested out of introductory freshman writing and rhetoric courses upon entering the University of Illinois Why do I want to be a tutor? I wish to be a tutor again since I’ve moved back to Chicagoland because taking classes, conducting research, and teaching students have given me great energy and satisfaction. Knowledge and education only have value if they are shared with others. Sharing those Eureka moments when a once struggling student gains the unique self-confidence stemming only from newfound mastery gives me the unique joy of contributing to academic excellence! I receive few greater thrills than motivating students to climb heights once deemed unreachable. I also feel inspired that perhaps my small efforts as a tutor may inspire one of my students to pursue a new life-changing scholarly or career goal. Meeting the individual academic needs of students reveals new perspectives which, in turn, deepen my own understanding of previous studies so that I can serve future students more effectively. Students can expect to receive a very highly educated, well-read, and academically qualified tutor who will work diligently and patiently to ensure success and achievement. Students who have worked with me previously can testify to the passion and enthusiasm I supply to leverage my education and teaching experience. Relevant classes I have taken: I have received a B.A. Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Although I did not officially declare a minor, I took enough courses in religious studies, philosophy, and history to arrive close to the academic credit requirements for minors in each of those fields. Some relevant courses: Globalization and American Empire with Jan Nederveen Pieterse Political Philosophy with John G. Allen Several political science courses on the politics of the U.S. Supreme Court with Ira H. Carmen History of the Philosophy of Religion with Robert McKim Modern Catholic Thought with Kenneth Howell 200-Level Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Race and American Politics with Dianne Pinderhughes Ancient and Medieval Philosophy with Bob Wengert Introduction to Ethics with Storm Heter Statistics with Ellen Fireman The Politics of Community Health Microeconomics Macroeconomics I also received an M.A. in Sociology from the New School for Social Research Methods of Historical versus Sociological Inquiry with Juan Casanova Sociology of Religion with Jose Casanova Media, Micropolitics, and Origins of Social Movements with Jeffrey Goldfarb The Frankfurt School and Media Criticism with Jaeho Kang Urban Sociology and Field Methods (multiple instructors) Classical Sociology (multiple instructors) Postmodern Sociology, The Interpretive Turn with Carlos Forment Televisuality and Social Change with Paolo Carpignano Sociology and Cultural Development of Media with Paolo Carpignano Finally, I studied climate science and Columbia University where I will receive an M.A. Climate and Society in 2012 after completing my thesis Intro to Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry and Climate Modeling Prediction (IRI Research Staff) Financing Green Tech Investments The Science of Sustainable Development with John C. Mutter Introduction to Arc GIS Software Applications (in concert with the Wildlife Conservation Society) Atmospheric and Climate Statistics (IRI Research Staff) Human Rights, Development, and Climate Change with John C. Mutter Global Energy / Carbon Management Challenge with Klaus Lackner Regional Climate Modeling (IRI Research Staff) Managing Climate Risk in Society (IRI Research Staff) Wetland Ecosystems and Climate Change Additional interesting items from my resume include: I have worked as a Congressional research staffer and press aide on Capitol Hill I have published an online mini-course in the basic science of climate change I worked for a research team developing city statistical indicators at a UN-affiliated agency (NYC Global Partners) I served as a long-term substitute teacher (I frequently worked in the same classroom for several weeks at a time) in the NYC school system and have taught courses including high school algebra, English literature, and social studies. I worked as a business development intern for an interpreting agency specializing in work with the deaf community. Responsibilities included preparing a business plan, a company accounting system, the annual tax return, and website development.
Availability
Mon/Wed/Fri at any time, Tues/Thurs at any time, Weekends at any time
Can Meet
Up to 1 hour away for no additional charge
Hobbies
Hobbies / Interests I would consider myself a sports fan. My two favorite sports are baseball and basketball. I grew up around those sports, as my dad was a good college baseball player and most of my friends growing up would hang out and shoot hoops. I also am an avid reader with a very large personal library of over 1000 books, and I usually have been able to convince others to enjoy reading and engage in it more frequently. I love to travel, and I have visited countries ranging from Kuwait to India to large parts of central and eastern Europe. Art history represents another passion of mine, and you will find me regularly attending art gallery openings and special exhibits. Military history also occupies me, and I have a collection of out-of-print military board games I inherited from my late grandfather. Finally, I love vintage 1960s and 1970s pop culture and music as I was something of a hippie during my early years of undergraduate study a decade ago. So, if you want to listen to the Beatles or some old Motown chart-topping standards and you love classic movies like Dirty Harry; I’m definitely somebody who will share those interests with you as well. In short, I guess I’m fairly nerdy; but, isn’t that something you really want from a tutor?
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